Antibiotic a16886 and process for production thereof

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic A16886I and antibiotic A16886II and their salts, having antibacterial and anthelmintic activity, prepared by fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585.

United States Patent German et al.

Apr. 2, 1974 ANTIBIOTIC A16886 AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 62,390, Aug. 10, 1970, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 849,395, Aug. 12, 1969, abandoned.

Assignee:

US. Cl 195/80 R Int. Cl C12d 9/00 Field of Search 195/80 R; 260/243 C References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1973 Hamill et a1. 195/80 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS C. E. I-liggens et al., international Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, Vol. 21; No. 4; pages 326-331; 1971.

Nagarajan et al., American Chemical Society Journal, Vol. 93; No. 9; pages 2308-2310; 1971.

Primary ExaminerLionel M. Shapiro Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Warden Attorney, Agent, or FirmKath1een R. Schmoyer; Everet F. Smith [57] ABSTRACT Antibiotic A16886land antibiotic A16886Il and their salts, having antibacterial and anthelmintic activity, prepared by fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures ANTBIOTIC A16886 AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a division of our copending application Ser. No. 62,390, filed Aug. 10, 1970, which was in turn a continuation-in-part of our then copending application Ser. No. 849,395, filed Aug. 12, 1969, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Antibiotic A16886, a sulfur-containing peptide antibiotic, is an amphoteric molecule produced by cultivating under controlled conditions Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585.

As in the case with many antibiotic-producing cultures, fermentation of Streptamyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 results in the production of a number of antibiotic substances called factors. Antibiotic A16886, as presently obtained from the fermentor, comprises two major antibiotic substances referred to herein as A168- 861 and A 1 688611 or as factor I and factor 11. Other antibiotic substances have been observed in some fermentations, but these have been present in only small amounts. Hence, the unmodified term antibiotic A16886 is employed herein to refer to the antibiotic as obtained from the fermentor and ordinarily comprising from 1 to-99 percent of factor I and from 99 to 1 percent of factor II in addition to other minor factors, the total percentage being 100. Accordingly, in the discussions herein of utility and modes of usage, the term antibiotic A16886 applies equally to individual factors as well as to mixtures inasmuch as the properties of the individual factors and mixtures thereof are similar.

Antibiotic A16886 can be utilized as such or as a salt, for example, an acid addition salt or a salt with a cation. In the instance of a salt with a cation, the salt can be either a mono or di salt. It is often preferred to prepare salts directly in the purification process so that the antibiotic as separated is in salt form. Antibiotic A16886 has been separated in this manner, as the monoammonium salt, and for that reason, is hereinbelow characterized as the monoammonium salt.

Certain characterizations have been made on the mixture of factors 1 and II. For example, a number of qualitative chemical tests have been carried out with a mixture of the monoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor 11: positive tests were exhibited with ninhydrin, Pan-Dutscher, Benedict, Molisch, Fehling, dansyl chloride, iodine, and ferric chloride reagents, but negative tests were observed with biuret and Sakaguchi reagents. A mixture of the monoammonium salts of factors I and [1 dried at room temperature in vacuo over anhydrous calcium chloride for about 15 hours, exhibited an optical rotation [01],, 1 101 (C= 1 percent w./v. in water). A mixture of the monoammonium salts of factors I and II of antibiotic A16886 is stable at pH 3-8 at 6 C. for 8 days and relatively stable at pH 3-8 at 25 C. for 2 days. Biological activity is slowly lost at pH 3-8 at a temperature of 25 C., half being lost at 4 days.

In addition, the monoammonium salts of factors land II have been separately characterized. The monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886 is an off-white, fluffy, amorphous solid, softening between 190 and 300 C., with a color change to dark brown; it is very soluble in water, slightly soluble in lower alkanols, and essentially insoluble in acetonitrile and other organic solvents. The specific optical rotation [01] of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886l, dried at room temperature in vacuo over anhydrous calcium chloride for about 15 hours, was found to be +153.6 (C 1 percent, w./v. in water). Electrometric titration of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886l in a 66 percent dimethylformamide-water solution at an initial pH of 6.50 revealed the presence of four titratable groups: pKa, 4.1; pK'a 5.2; pK'a 9.3; and pK'a, 10.5. The apparent molecular weight, calculated from the titration data, is about 530.

Elemental analysis of the monoammonium salt of Al 68861, dried in vacuo at about C. over phosphorus pentoxide, gave the following values:

Analysis of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A 1 68861 shows a methoxyl content of 5.02 percent; the presence of the methoxyl group was confirmed by a singlet at 3.53 ppm. in the NMR spectrum. A Van Slyke test for amino nitrogen of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886l showed 5.3 percent.

The NMR spectrum of A16886] in D 0 showed the following characteristics: 5.19 ppm. (1H, singlet); 4.94, 4.74 ppm. (2H, AB quartet, J= 13 Hz); 4.0-4.2 ppm. (ll-l, multiplet); 3.68, 3.32 ppm. (21-1, AB quartet, J= 18 Hz); 3.53 ppm. (3H, singlet); 2.6-2.4 ppm. (2H, multiplet); 2.1-1.6 ppm. (4H, multiplet).

The infrared absorption spectrum of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886l in a mineral oil mull is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The distinguishable bands in the infrared spectrum over the range of 2.0 to 15.0 microns are as follows: 3.10, 5.68, 6.30, 6.60, 7.20, 7.60, 8.83, 9.35, 9.60, 9.85, 11.60, and 12.90 microns.

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886l in aqueous solution shows absorption maxima at 242 mp. (E 1 132) and at 264 mp. (E 1 circular dichroism was also measured in aqueous solution and showed a positive Cotton effect at 263 my. and a negative Cotton effect at 236 mu.

Paper chromatography of the ammonium salt of antibiotic A16886l on Whatman No. 1 paper gave an R,

value of 0.41 in a solvent system of propanol, acetonitrile, and water in a volume ratio of 1:1:1. Bioautographs were obtained by placing the paper chromatograph on agar plates seeded with Salmonella gallinarum as the test organism.

When the monoammonium salt of Al68861 is subjected to thin-layer chromatography on silica gel plates in 70 percent aqueous acetonitrile, utilizing a ninhydrin spray as a detector, it has an R value of about 0.51; on cellulose plates in acetonitrile:isopropanolzwater (1:1:1), utilizing the same procedure for detection, it has an R, value of 0.36.

Amino acid analysis of an acid hydrolysate of antibiotic Al6886l, run by the Spackman-Moore-Stein technique, showed two ninhydrin reacting peaks, one of which was eluted identically with glycine (0.61 amoles/mg.), the other of which was eluted just prior to glycine and was identified as a-aminoadipic acid (1.97 moles/mg).

Based on the various foregoing physical characteristics, the structure of antibiotic A 1 68861 has been determined to be as follows:

carboxyvaleramido)-3-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-7- methoxy-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid.

The monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886ll has also been separately characterized. It is an off-white,

fluffy, amorphous solid, softening between 190 and 300 C., with a color change to dark brown; it is very soluble in water, slightly soluble in lower alkanols, and essentially insoluble in acetonitrile and other organic solvents. The specific optical rotation [01],, of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886ll, dried at room temperature in vacuo over anhydrous calcium chloride for about hours, was found to be +86.2 (C =1 percent, w./v. in water).

Electrometric titration of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886ll in a 66 percent dimethyl formamide-water solution at an initial pH of 7.7, revealed the presence of four titratable groups: pKa 4.4; pK'a 5.7; pK'a 9.6; pK'a, 10.4. In like titration of a ate sam sl sss that hq an lpl s fi.

the respective values were pK'a =40; pKa 53; pKa 9.2; and pKa 10.5. The apparent molecular weight of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A168- 86ll, calculated from the titration data, is about 528. Elemental analysis of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886ll, dried in vacuo at about 80 C. over phosphorus pentoxide, gave the following values:

Element Percent Carbon 41.01 Hydrogen 5.64 Nitrogen 15.75 Oxygen 29.28 Sulfur 7.04

Analysis of the monoammonium salt of Al6886ll showed no methoxyl content, and, unlike factor 1, no

LII

signal attributable to the methoxyl g roup was seen in the NMR spectrum on the monoammonium salt of Al6886l1. A Van Slyke test for amino nitrogen on the monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886ll showed 5.1 percent:

The NMR spectrum of A16886l1 in D 0 showed the following chracteristics: 5.67 ppm. (1H, doublet, J= 5 Hz); 5.15 ppm. (1H, doublet, J 5 Hz); 4.90, 4.68 ppm. (2H, AB quartet, J 13 Hz); 3.9-3.7 (1H, multiplet); 3.69, 3.39 (2H, AB quartet, J= 18 Hz); 2.6-2.3 (2H, multiplet); 2.1-1.5 (4H, multiplet).

The infrared absorption of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886II in a mineral oil null is shown in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The distinguishable bands in the infrared spectrum over the range of 2.0 to 15.0 microns are as follows: 3.15, 5.70, 6.30, 7.22, 7.64, 9.05, 9.40, 9.65, and 11.60 microns.

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A 1 688611 in aqueous solution shows an absorption maximum of 260 mp. (E l 148); circular dichroism was also measured in aqueous solution and showed a positive Cotton effect at 258 mp. and a negative Cotton effect at 228 m,u.

Paper chromatography of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886II on Whatman No. 1 paper gave an R value of 0.33 in a solvent system of propanol, acetonitrile, and water in a volume ratio of 1:1:1. Bioautographs were obtained by placing the paper chromatograph on agar plates seeded with Salmonella gallinarum as the test organism.

When the monoammonium salt of A16886ll is subjected to thin-layer chromatography on silica gel plates in percent aqueous acetonitrile, utilizing a ninhydrin spray or bioautographic method as a detector, it has an R; value of about 0.42; on cellulose plates in acetonitrilezisopropanolzwater (1:1:1), utilizing the same procedure for detection, it has an R, value of 0.29.

Amino acid analysis of an acid hydrolysate of antibiotic A16886II, run by the Spackman-Moore-Stein technique, showed primarily only one ninhydrin reacting peak; it was eluted just prior to glycine and as in the stasc 0 m t v A .l..-yva de ti s! a a-aminoadipic acid (2.1 umoleslmg.) However, there was also a very minor peak which was eluted identically with glycine. A later sample was analyzed in like manner and showed values of 2.1 umoles/mg. and 0.13 umoles/mg, respectively.

Based on the various foregoing physical characteristics, the structure of antibiotic Al6886ll has been determined to be as follows:

carboxyvaleramido)-3-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-3- cephem-4-carboxylic acid.

In addition to the foregoing, each of factors I and 11 of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic Al6886 was subjected to paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography in a number of other solvent systems with the following results:

Solvent System R, value Factor 1 Factor 11 Paper Chromatography Ethanolzwatcr (80:20) with 1.5% sodium chloride, paper impregnated with IN sodium sulfate .38 .33 Butanol saturated with water immobile immobile Butanol saturated with water plus 2% p-to1uenesulfoni acid .39 .32 Methyl isobutyl ketone saturated with water immobile immobile Methyl isobutyl ketone saturated with water plus 2% p-toluenesulfonic acid immobile immobile Methyl isobutyl ketone saturated with water plus 2% piperidine immobile immobile Acetonitrile immobile immobile Propanohacetonitrile:methanol: water (413:2:1) immobile immobile Propanolzpyridinezacetic acid: water (:10:3112) .32 .27 Propanohpyridinezacetic acid: acetonitrilezwater (45:30:9z40z36) .21 .15 Butanoltacetic acidzwater (3:1:1) .20 .17 Ethyl acetatczacetic acidzwater (3: 1 :l .29 .22 Propanolzwater (70:30) .17 .17 Acetonitrile:water (70:30) .72 .65 Watenethanolzacetic acid (70:42:6) .82 .82 Thln-Layer Chromatography Acetonitrilezwater (7:3) on cellulose plates .35 .29

Antibiotic A16886 and its salts have an inhibitory 210- TABLE I tion against the growth of both gram-positive and gramnegatlve bacteria. The levels at whlch antlblotlc Te t Organism Inhibitory Concentration A16886 as a partially purified mixture of the monoams/ monlum salts offactors and II shows lnhlbltlon against [Escherichia coli 0| 27 0'39 bvd the growth of lllustratlve organisms are set forth in P te PR4 018 ML Table I. The inhibitory levels were determined by the ii 'gf fi l z -22 -3- agar-dilution test or by the broth-dilution test (ldentlj gf igg' X239 l'o0 :I i tied in the table by the letters a.d. and b.d., respec- Salmonella typhosa T-63 0.7a b.d. ti l Staphylococcus aureus 3055 2500 Streptococcus pyogenes C203 6.25 a.d. e -T- Bacillus subtilis Xl2.1 L56 a.d, In the agar dilution test, the test organlsm was staphymoccus am 3150 5000 ad.

streaked on a series of agar plates containing various concentrations of the monoammonium salts of factors I and II of antibiotic A16886 to determine the minimum concentrations in mcg./m1. (micrograms per milliliter) in the agar substrate which inhibited the growth of the organism over a period of 48 hours (72 hours in the case of the plant-pathogen organisms).

In the broth dilution test, a series of tubes containing varied concentrations of the monoammonium salts of factors I and 11 of antibiotic A16886 was inoculated with the test organism to determine the minimum concentration in mcg./m l. in the broth substrate which inhibited organism growth for a period of about 20 hours.

No binding by horse serum was noted in any of the above tests. As can be seen from the above table, antibiotic A16886 as a mixture of the monoammonium salts of factors I and I1 exhibits activity against grampositive and gram-negative bacteria] organisms.

Antibiotic A16886 was further evaluated for antibacterial activity in a test employing the Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion method. The evaluation was made on the monoammonium salts of separated factors I and II. The results, expressed in terms of millimeters of the zone of inhibition at a specified antibiotic concentration, were as set forth below in Table 11.

TABLE II Factor 1 Factor 11 #gJdisc rig/disc Organism 30 10 5 I .5 1.0 0.5 30 10 5 2.5 1.0 0.5

Escherichia coli 0127 25.6 20.7 18.6 15.9 12.7 8.4 19.7 15.9 12.9 9.4 0 v 0 Escherichia coli EC 25 19.6 15.1 12.5 9.1 0 O 11.9 7.7 0 0 0 0 Proteus sp. PR6 23.2 19.0 16.7 13.6 9.9 0 22.2 16.7 13.6 10.4 0 0 Proteus sp. PR7 14.0 10.4 0 0 0 0 7.1 0 0 O 0 0 Salmonella typhosa SA 12 27.2 22.8 19.9 16.9 11.3 8.0 23.8 18.7 15.6 12.3 7.5 0 Salmonella typhosa SA 16 24.2 19.6 16.2 13.1 9.3 0 19.3 13.4 11.0 7.5 0 0 Klebsiella-Aerobacter KA 23.0 18.8 15.4 11.4 7.6 0 20.1 13.7 10.8 0 0 0 l4 K1ebsie11a-Aerobacter KA 22.1 15.8 12.3 9.0 0 0 15.6 10.1 7.4 0 0 0 25 Pseudomonas sp. Ps 24 23.0 18.2 15.7 13.2 10.1 0 20.2 15.4 12.3* 9.3* 0 0 Pseudomonas sp. Ps 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 (l 0 Staphylococcus aureus 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.4 0 (l (l 0 0 3055 Staphylococcus zlurcus (l 0 0 0 0 0 10.1 0 0 0 0 0 3074 Satellite colonies within mm: of inhibition Antibiotic A16886 and its salts also exhibit in vivo activity against a number of the above organisms and hence are useful in controlling infections caused by such organisms in host animals. Mammalian toxicity is low; the LD is grams/kilogram, and daily subcuta- 5 with water or other liquid to form spray mixtures. Preneous administration of 350 milligrams/kilogram to a ferred dispersing agents which can be employed in group Of rats fo a p riod 0 14 y resulted in I10 these compositions include the non-ionic emulsifiers deaths and negligib e S gns O oxi y. Antibiotic such as the condensation products of alkylene oxides A16886 as a mixture of the m ea o Salts of with the inorganic acids, polyoxyethylene derivatives of factors I and ii exhibited the following so Values in i0 sorbitan esters, complex ether alcohols, and the like. mice infected with the respective Organis Suitable organic liquids which can be employed in the composition include petroleum oils and distillates, tolu- TABLE ene, and synthetic organic oils. The surface-active disorganism EDS persing agents are usually employed in liquid composi- Escherichia coli 0127 13.8 (Administrai5 tions In the amount of from 0.1 to percent by weight 3: of the combined weight of the dispersing agent and acmute) tive compound. In the preparation of dust composii g l yp :3; tions, antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof can be comf pounded with any of the finely divided solids or gran- 2 ules typically used in agricultural chemical formula- In addition, antibiotic A168 86 and its salts exhibit acm Operating in accordance with the present mmy agalnt pl?nt'pathogenlc bflctena' Thus for vention, antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof or a comample, antlbloilc 3 i salts F position containing antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof plant-pathogenic bacterial infections as bacterial wilt, can be applied to the Organisms to be controlled or to bacterial i and bactenal p i their habitats in any convenient fashion, e.g., by means The Precise manner of apphfzatlon :mtlblotlc of hand clusters or sprayers. Applications to the aboveor a salt thereof to plant.s not i Glmerany ground portions of plants conveniently can be carried mllla] Contact. of the causiluve orgam.sm is with. R out with powder clusters, boom sprayers, high-pressure foliage; for this reason, foliar applicat1on of antibiotic 3O Sprayers and spray dustem In foliar applications, the Al6ti86 or a salt thereof is often preferred. However, employed compositions should not contain any aPPreantibiotic A16886 and salts thereof are translocated, ciable amount of phytotoxic diluenm In large scale consequently apphcatlon can also be made to operations, dusts or low-volume sprays can be applied flowers, seeds, roots, or other plant parts to obtaln bacfrom airplanes tencldal effect throughout The following examples illustrate this embodiment of :1 5E22 ;gg z g ggfi fgi gz gf z zggggg ig zfiz the present invention and will enable those skilled in bacteria an effective amount of antibiotic A16886 or a the art to practice the same' salt thereof. It is not critical to this method that the an- EXAMPLE 1 tibiotic be employed as a single factor; each of factor ERWINIA AM YLOVORA AND PSEUDOMONAS I and factor II can be used alone and gives good results. SOLANACEARUM, IN VITRO Alternately, a mixture of factors can be employed. An- Antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammotibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof can be employed withnium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of out modification, but generally it is preferred for plantfactor II) was evaluated in vitro for inhibition of treating purposes to employ a formulation comprising Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas solanacearum. the antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof and one or more Each of the organisms was separately incorporated in adjuvants. In preparing such formulations, antibiotic standard nutrient agar, and the resulting agars poured A16886 or its salt can be modified with water or other into a plurality of plates and permitted to solidify. liquid carriers, organic solvents, surface-active agents Treatment was then made, different plates being including solid surface-active agents, or inert, finely ditreated by different methods. In one method of treatvided solids or inert, granular solids. The exact concenm 0,1 illili f test l i was i d i tration of antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof in such a h f two ll Steel li d Setting i h on a formulation is not critical and will vary with the particgiven agar surface. In the other method, 0.1 milliliter ular purpose for which the formulat on iS e g of test solution was impregnated onto each of two filter Generally, for foliar application for control of typical assay discs which were placed onto a given agar surplant-pathogenic bacterial infections, concentrations face. The test solution for both methods of treatment of antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof from 10 ppm. to was prepared by dissolving the appropriate quantity of 1,000 or more ppm. give good results. In the case of antibiotic A16886 in glass-distilled water. The results, dusts for foliar application, preferred concentrations of expressed as the diameter of the zone of inhibition, antibiotic are 0.1-10.0 percent. were as set forth in the following tablef TABLE IV 8 In preparing liquid formulations, antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof can be compounded with a suitable liquid and a surface-active dispersing agent to produce emulsifiable concentrates which can be further diluted DIAMETER ZONE INHIBITION MEASUREMENT IN MILLILITERS Steel Cylinders Filter Discs" Treatment E. amylovora P. solanacearum E. amylovora P. solanacearum A16886 10 ppm. 6-6 16-17 13-13 20-21 A16886 50 ppm. 12-14 25-25 16-17 30-30 A16886 ppm. 15-16 30-30 20-20 34-35 Control (distilled water) 6-6 6-6 13-13 13-13 A includes the size of cylinder 6mm.; therefore. a zone size of 6 mm. indicates no growth inhibition B includes the size of filter disc 13 mm.; therefore, a zone size of 13 mm. indicates no growth inhibition.

EXAMPLE 2 PSEUDOMONAS SO LANACEARUM, FOLIAR SPRAY Antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammo- 5 nium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor II) was also evaluated in vivo for the control of Pseudomonas solanacearum on tomato plants. In this placed in 50 milliliters of solution, one group of plants in the 200 ppm. solution, a second group of plants in the 400 ppm. solution, a third group of plants in water to serve as a control. The roots were soaked for 24 hours, with aeration during this period. The plants, with roots still in the several solutions, were then incubated for 24 hours. Thereafter, the plants were removed from the incubation chamber and held for a period of a week. Beginning approximately with the incubation peevaluation, antibiotic Al6 886 monoammonium salt 10 tied and continuing throughout the week a solution was formulated a plurallty of aqueous formulatlons containing nutrients was added to the roots as needed uniformly containing 1 percent of ethanol and P to maintain the plants in a viable condition. At the end Cent Ofa faceactive agent P y y y deriv' of the week period, the plants were observed to deterative of fatty acid partial ester of sorbitol anhydride) i h extent f development f Pseudomonas but containing various concentrations of antibiotic l5 l i i di was rated on a Scale f 0 to 4 0 i i- A16886. Thirty-day-old tomato plants were used in the eating no control, 4 representing completer control. evaluation, 2 plants/pot/treatment. Plants in each pot The results were as set forth in the following table: were treated with one of the treating solutions, were allowed to air dry, and were then inoculated with a medium sustaining an active growth of Pseudomonas 2 TABLE VI solanacearum. All plants were held for 24 hours in a Disease Rating of moist chamber, then removed and held for 7 days pseudmnas glycir'ia under good agricultural conditions. At the end of this Comm, 0 7 day period, all of the plants were observed to deter- 2:22: 2 58 p 2+ mine presence, and if present, degree, of infection. The 25 0 +1 results were as reported in the following table; disease was rated on a scale of 0 to 4, 0 indicating no control, 4 representing complete control, with each plant rated EXAMPLE 4 V separately XANTHOMONAS PHASEOLI VAR. SOJENSIS,

FQLIAR SPRAY TABLE V In a first evaluation, 10 day-old soybean plants were Pseudomonas Solanaceamm inoculated by lightly water-soaking the lower leaf sur- Disease Rating faces of the primary leaves with a suspension of Xanthomonas phaseoli var. sojensis. Two hours later, o 0 the foliage was sprayed with a spray solution, one group A16886 400 ppm. 2+ 3+ of inoculated plants being treated with a solution con- Al6836 200 PP 2+ taining 100 parts per million of antibiotic A16886, a 40 second group, with a solution containing 500 parts per million of antibiotic A16886. Antibiotic A16886 was The control plants exhibited an extensive Pseudomonas formulated in water with 353 parts per million of a Solanacearum mfectlon' blend of sulfonate-nonionic liquid emulsifiers.

In a second evaluation, the foliage of 10 day-old soy- EXAMPLE 3 bean plants was sprayed with a spray solution contain- PSEUDOMONAS GLYCINIA, BARE-ROOT SOAK ing either 100 or 500 parts of antibiotic A16886, and 2 hours later, inoculated by the same procedures used Antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammoin the first evaluation. Formulation of antibiotic nium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of A16886 was the same as in the first evaluation. All factor II) was evaluated for the control of Pseudomonas samples of antibiotic A16886 were a mixture of the glycinia by means of bare-root soaking solutions conmonoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammotaining the A168 86. There were two soaking solutions, nium salt of factor II. one containing 200 parts per million of antibiotic The plants were maintained under good agricultural A16886, the other containing 400 parts per million of conditions for a period of about 1 1 days and then obantibiotic A16886. Ten-day-old soybean plants were served for the presence or absence of Xanthornonas inoculated with Pseudomonas glycinia, and the roots of phaseoli var. sojensis. The results were as set forth in the all plants maintained throughout the evaluation in following table, with rating being on a 0 to 4 scale as aqueous solutions. Initially, the inoculated plants were in the preceding examples.

TABLE VII Inoculate then spray Control (water alone) Control (water plus blend of emulsifier) A16886 I00 ppm. A16886 500 ppm.

EXAMPLE All surfaces of 20 day-old red kidney bean plants were sprayed with an aqueous formulation formulation containing 400 parts per million of antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor II), and 0.1 percent of a surface-active agent (a polyoxyethylene derivative of a fatty acid partial ester of sorbitol anhydride). The sprayed plants were permitted to dry and then inoculated with Pseudomonas phaseolicola inoculation was achieved by water-soaking of the lower leaf surface of one leaflet of each of the first and second trifoliate leaves with an aqueous bacterial suspension at 30 percent light -transmission on a Bausch and Lomb Spectronic 20. The plants were subsequently held in a moist chamber for 24 hours, then removed and held under good agricultural conditions for 14 days. At the end of this period, all plants were observed; in the treated group of plants, there was a moderate control of Pseudomonas phaseolicola, whereas in the control group, there was an extensive development of the disease.

EXAMPLE 6 PSEUDOMONAS SOLANACEARUM, SEPARATE FOLlAR OR STEM SPRAY Antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor ll) was formulated in water with a blend of two sulfonate-nonionic liquid emulsifiers to obtain two treating solutions, one containing 100 parts per million of A16886, the other containing 400 parts per million of antibiotic A16886, and each containing 353 parts per million of the emulsifier blend. Groups of 28 dayold tomato plants were employed; in one set of evaluations, the solution was applied to the stems only, and in the second set of evaluations, the solution was applied to the leaves only. Two hours after treatment by either method, the plants were inoculated by inserting a toothpick soaked in a broth culture of Pseudomonas solanacearum into the stem at the cotyledons. The plants were held under good agricultural conditions for 10 days and then observed to determine control of the disease. The results, on a scale of 0-4, with 0 indicating no control and 4 indicating complete control, were as follows:

antibiotic Al6886l and Al6886ll were evaluated separately (but each as the monoammonium salt). The results were as set forth in the following table.

TABLE IX Pseudomonas solanacearum Disease Rating Control A16886l- 100 ppm.

Al6886l 10 ppm. Al6886ll-100 ppm. A16886" 10 ppm.

The control plants exhibited a light infection of Pseudomonas solanacearum.

EXAMPLE 8 PSEUDOMONAS SOLANACEARUM, FOLIAR SPRAY EXAMPLE 9 XANTHOMONAS VESICATORIA, FIELD TRAIL A mixture of the monoammonium salt of Al6886l and the monoammonium salt of A16886II was tested under field conditions for the control of Xanthomonas vsiclitoria (bacterial spot) on mature bearing tomato plants. The mixture of the two salts was dispersed in water at a concentration of 100, 200, or 400 parts per million and applied to the plants at the rate of 75 gal lons per acre. Application was made with a C0 sprayer at psi. Plants were sprayed twice, on successive days; after the second spray had dried, all plants were wounded by sand blasting and then within one minute the plants were inoculated with a bacterial inoculum of Xanthomonas vesicatoria. Three days later, a third spray application of the aqueous formulation of A16886 was made. Readings were made 1 week and 2 weeks after the last spray treatment. Controls consisted of groups of plants l sand blasted and inoculated; (2) sand blasted only; (3) untreated; and (4) treated with streptomycin (on the same 3 day spraying schedule, at a concentration of 100, 200, or 400 parts per million of aqueous solution, using a rate of gallons per acre), sand blasted, and inoculated. The results were as 5 set forth in the following table, in which crop injury is TABLE Vlll Pseudomonas solanacearum Disease Rating Leaves. treated Stems, treated only only Control (water plus 353 0 l 0 1 ppm. of blend of emulsifiers) A16886 ppm. 3 4 1 4 A16886 400 ppm. 4 4 4 4 EXAMPLE 7 PSEUDOMONAS SOLANACEARUM, FOLlAR SPRAY Further evaluations were conducted in accordance with the procedure reported in Example 2, except that reported on a scale of 0-10, with 0 no injury and 10 dead plants; and control of bacterial spot is reported on a percentage basis.

TABLE X Concentrations in Crop Injury Ratings Percent Bacterial Spot Control Parts/Million of First Second First Second Treating Solution Reading Reading Reading Reading A16886 100 0 88 46 A16886 200 0 0 85 63 A16886 400 0 0 97 80 Streptomycin 100 0 0 33 57 Streptomycin 200 0 0 81 3 7 Streptomycin 400 0 0 83 59 Control (Sand blasted and inoculated) 0 0 0 0 (14) 0 (47) Control (Sand blasted 0 0 0 0 (0.3)* 0 (8)* only) Control (Untreated) 0 O 0 0 (0) 0 (6)* Parenthesized figures indicate percent disease incidence in the various control plots. Disease incidence in the sand blasted and inoculated control was used as the basis for the calculation of percent disease control in the plants treated with Streptomycin and with A16886.

As noted hereinabove, antibiotic A16886 and its salts exhibit anthelmintic activity in addition to antibacterial activity. Hence, antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof can be administered to warm-blooded animals to control various internal parasites, particularly stomach and intestinal worms such as Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia obvelata, and the like. As in the instance of bactericidal activity, anthelmintic activity is exhibited by each major factor hence, anthelmintic activity is obtained when employing either factor separately, or when employing a mixture of factors.

The administration of antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof is preferably by the oral route, for example, by inclusion of antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof in animal feed, by administration of tablets, drenches, etc. In general, doses of from 1 to 500 milligrams per kilogram or more of animal body weight are effective in singledose administration. Where antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof is supplied as a constituent of a regular feed, concentrations of from 0.0001 to 0.05 percent or more given good results. A preferred range of concentration of antibiotic A16886 or a salt thereof in feeds is from 0.01 to 0.05 percent.

The anthelmintic activity of antibiotic A16886 is illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 10 in a first evaluation, antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor II) was administered in a single dose by gavage to each of two mice infected with Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata (pinworms). The dose was 500 milligrams of antibiotic A16886 per kilogram of individual animal body weight, administered in a suspension of physiological saline containing 0.125 percent of methylcellulose as suspending agent. A control group of six mice infected with Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata was employed in the evaluation. Both groups were maintained under normal laboratory conditions for 48 hours following the dosing of the treated group. All mice were then sacrificed and examined to determine the presence and numbers of pinworms, which were reported in the following table:

TABLE Xl EXAMPLE 1 1 In another evaluation, antibiotic A16886 (as a mixture of the monoammonium salt of factor I and the monoammonium salt of factor II) was mixed with standard mouse feed to obtain a plurality of treated feeds, containing antibiotic A16886 in concentrations of 0.005, 0.01, and 0.05 percent by weight. The feeds were utilized as diets for separate groups of mice, five mice per group. About 12 hours after initiation of the feeding, the mice were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum ova. Another group of five mice was fed the non-medicated feed to serve as a control but was similarly infected at the same time with Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. All groups were fed their respective feed and maintained under normal laboratory conditions for a period of 8 days, at which time all mice were taken off feed. 0n the ninth day, all mice were sacrificed and the lungs examined to determine the presence, and if present, numbers, of lesions of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum.

The level of antibiotic A 16886 in the diet and the average number of lung lesions per animal in each group are set forth in the following table:

TABLE Xll Group Average Number of Lung Lesions Per Group Control 2.0

Antibiotic A16886 at 0.005% 0.166 Antibiotic A16886 at 0.01% 0.33 Antibiotic A16886 at 0.05% 0.0

EXAMPLE 12 TABLE Xlll Group Average Number of Lung Lesions Per Group Control 2.2

Antibiotic A16886 at 0.0005% 1.2

Antibiotic A16886 at 0.001% 0.7

Antibiotic A16886 at 0.1% 0.2

EXAMPLE l3 ln a further evaluation, the monoammonium salts of A16886] and A16886Il were separately evaluated for the control of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. The evaluations were conducted in accordance with the procedure reported in Example 1 l at a concentration in the diet of 0.05 percent. The results of the evaluations were as reported in the following table.

TABLE XIV Group Average Number of Lung Lesions Per Group Al6886l 0.46 Al6886ll 0.20 Control 2.66

Antibiotic Al6886 can be produced by culturing a newly found and hitherto undescribed organism isolated from soil samples obtained from South America.

The organism was isolated from the above soil samples by suspending portions of the soil samples in sterile distilled water, and by streaking the suspensions on nutrient agar. The seeded nutrient agar plates were incubated at about 25-35 C. for several days. At the end of the incubation period, colonies of the antibiotic Al6886-producing organism were transferred with a sterile'platinum loop to agar slants. The agar slants were then incubated to provide suitable amounts of in-' This organism characteristically produces an extensive network of short, sympodially-branched aerial hyphae which eventually segment into spores. Short clubshaped side branches are formed which usually produce from one to four spores each. No substrate conidia are produced. Electron micrographs reveal smooth-walled spores. Cell wall preparations contain the L,L-isomer of diaminopimelic acid and glycine in addition to the major constituents, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine. Spores are gray en masse and primary mycelium is pale yellow to yellow-brown. No soluble pigment is produced. The culture has an optimum temperature range between 26 and 30 C. No growth occurs at 37C. Morphologically, this culture resembles certain strains of Thermomonospora and Micromonospora.

The novel organism capable of producing antibiotic A l 6886 has been placed on permanent deposit without restriction as to availability with the culture collection of the Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (formerly Northern Regional Research Laboratories), Peoria, 111., 61604, and is available to the public under culture No. NRRL 3585.

The characteristics of Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 are given in the following tables. The methods recommended for the lnternational Streptomyces Project (Shirling et al., Methods for Characterization of Streptomyces Species, Intern. Bull. Systematic Bacterial. 16: 313-340) (1966) for the characterization of Streptomyces species have been used along with certain supplementary tests. Color names were assigned according to the lSCC-NBS method described by Kelly et al. in The ISCC-NBS Method ofDesignating Colors and a Dictionary of Color Names (U.S. Department of Commerce Circ. 553, Washington, DC. 1955). Figures in parenthesis refer to the Tresner and Backus color series (Tresner et al., System of Color Wheels for Streptomyces Taxonomy, Appl. Microbiol. 11: 335-338 [1963]) and color tab designations are underlined. The Maerz and Paul color blocks (Maerz et al. Dictionary of Color (McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1950) are enclosed in brackets. Cultures were grown at 30 C. for 14 days unless noted otherw1se.

TABLE XV Property Observed Characteristics of Al6886 Morphology Sporophores are produced on an extensive aerial mycelium and consists of networks of short, sympodially-branched hyphae.

Usually from one to four spores are born on short club-shaped side branches. Eventually Sporophores segment to form chains of spores. Spores are 0.34-0.85p X 0.85 X 3.3 averaging 0.64 1. X 1.5311,. Electron micrographs reveal smooth-walled spores. Spores are not produced in the substrate mycelium. Cultural Characteristics on:

181 No.2 (Yeast-Malt ext. agar) Growth abundant, reverse grayish yellow [121(3]; aerial mycelium abundant, dark gray (G) Bill [2181]; no soluble pigment. Growth moderate, reverse pale yellow l 1 1C! 1; serial mycelium fair, white (W) b [27A] no soluble pigment.

Growth abundant, reverse grayish yellow [12B2]; aerial mycelium moderate, medium gray (GY) 2fe [45Al]; no soluble pigment. Growth fair, reverse pale yellow green [1081]; aerial mycelium fair, white (W) a; no soluble pigment. Growth abundant, reverse grayish yellow [llE4]; aerial mycelium moderate, light grayish olive (GN) l-kig [2181]; no'soluble pigment. Growth abundant, reverse pale yellow (11Cl1; aerial mycelium scant; no soluble pigment. Growth abundant, reverse light yellow [11.12]; aerial mycelium abundant, dark grayish green (GN) 24-r'h [23A3]; no soluble pigment. Scant growth Growth moderate, reverse pale yellow green [10B1]; aerial mycelium fair, white (W) b [27A1]; no soluble pigment. Growth moderate, reverse pale yellow (1082]; aerial mycelium moderate, yellowish gray (GY) 2tlc [l0A2]; no soluble pigment. Growth fair, reverse pale yellow green I 1081]; aerial mycelium sparse, white; no soluble pigment. Growth abundant, reverse pale yellow green [10B] aerial mycelium fair, white (W) a.

No coagulation; clearing in 17 days. Negative None pH 5.0-6.0 in optimum range for growth; growth but no sporulation from pH 7.5-8.5.

18? N0. 3 (Oatmeal agar) 18? No.4 (inorganic Salts-Starch agar) lSP No. 5 (Glycerol-asparagine agar) Tomato paste-oatmeal agar Emersons agar Bennett's agar Czapeks agar Glucose-Asparagine agar Tyrosine agar Nutrient agar Calcium malate Action on milk Nitrate reduction Gelatin liquefaction Growth response to pH changes Melanin production Peptone-iron agar and tryptone-yeast ext. broth Temperature requirements None Major constituents of whole cell hydrolysates In Table XVI are set forth the results of carbon utilization tests carried out on organism NRRL 3585. In the table, the following symbols are employed:

+ growth and utilization no growth, no utilization probable utilization questionable utilization TABLE XVI lIllll As above noted, antibiotic A 16886 can be produced by the cultivation of NRRL 3585. The culture medium employed in producing antibiotic Al6886 by cultivation of the above-identified organism can be any one of several media, although as it is apparent from the above-described utilization-tests, the organism is capable of using only a few carbon sources under artificial culture circumstances. Those skilled in the art will understand that the organism in a complete medium may utilize carbon sources which in such artificial circumstances are not utilized. However, for economy production, maximum yield of antibiotic, and ease of isolation of the antibiotic, certain relatively simple nutrient sources are preferable. For example, the media which are useful in the production of the antibiotic include as assimilable source of carbon such as glucose, starch, glycerine, molasses, dextrin, and the like.

Preferred sources of carbon are glucose and glycerol. Additionally, employable media include a source of assimilable nitrogen such as soybean meal, corn steep solids, yeast, cottonseed meal, beef extract, peptones (meat or soy), casein, amino acid mixtures, and the like. Preferred sources of nitrogen are peptones, soybean meal, amino acid mixtures, and the like. Among the nutrient inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, phosphate, sulfate, chloride, carbonate, and like ions.

Minor elements necessary for optimum growth and development of the organism used for the production of antibiotic A16886 can also be included in the culture medium. Such trace elements commonly occur as impurities in the other constituents of the medium in amounts sufficient to meet the growth requirements of the actinomycetes employed in this invention.

The initial pH of the culture medium can be varied. However, it has been found desirable that the initial pH of the medium be between 6.5 and 7.2. As has been observed with other actinomycetes, the pH of the medium gradually increases throughout the growth period of the organism while the antibiotic is being produced,

and may attain a level of from 6.7 to 7.5 or above, the final pI Ibeing dependent at least in part on the initial pH of the medium, the buffers present in the medium, and the period of time the organism is pennitted to grow.

Submerged, aerobic cultural conditions are the conditions of choice for the production of antibiotic A16886. For preparation of relatively small amounts, shake flask and surface culture in bottles can be employed; but for the preparation of large amounts, submerged aerobic culture in sterile tanks is preferred. The medium in the sterile tank can be inoculated with a sporulated suspension; but because of the growth lag experienced when a sporulated suspension is used as the inoculum, the vegetative form of the culture is preferred. By thus avoiding the growth lag, more efficient use of the fermentation equipment is realized. Accordingly, it is desirable first to produce a vegetative inoculum of the organism by inoculating a relatively small quantity of culture medium with the spore form of the organism; and when a young, active vegetative inoculum has been obtained, to transfer the vegetative inoculum aseptically to the large tank. The medium in which the vegetative inoculum is produced can be either the same as or different from the medium utilized for the large-scale production of antibiotic A16886.

The organism which produces antibiotic A16886 will grow over a wide temperature range between 25-37 C. Optimal production of Al6886 seems to occur at temperatures of 2630 C. In general, maximum production of the antibiotic occurs within about 36-72 hours after inoculation of the culture medium.

As is customary in aerobic, submerged culture processes, sterile air is blown through the culture medium. For efficient growth of the organism and antibiotic Al6886 production, the volume of air employed in the tank production of Al6886 is from 0.2 to 0.4 volume of air per minute per volume of culture. The preferred volume is 0.4 volume of air per minute per volume of culture medium.

The concentration of antibiotic activity in the culture medium can be followed readily during the fermentation period by testing samples of the culture medium for their inhibitory activity against the growth of organisms known to be inhibited by the presence of antibiotic A16886. The organisms E. coli, Salmonella gallinarum, and Pseudomonas solanacearum have been found to be useful for this purpose. The testing of the samples can be carried out by the well-known turbidometric or cup-plate methods.

In general, maximum production of A16886 occurs within one to three days after inoculation of the culture medium in submerged aerobic culture or shake flask culture processes.

The antibiotic activity produced during the fermentation of A l 68 86 occurs primarily in the antibiotic broth. Accordingly, isolation techniques employed in the production of A16886 are designed to permit maximum recovery of the antibiotic from the broth. Thus, for example, mycelium and undissolved solids are removed from the fermentation broth by conventional means such as filtration or centrifugation, and antibiotic Al6886 can be recovered from the filtered or centrifuged broth by employing extraction or adsorption techniques.

For the recovery of Al6886 by adsorption techniques, various adsorbents and ion exhcnage resins can be used, for example, carbon, silica gel, alumina, microcrystalline cellulose, and ion exchange resins, including insoluble crosslinked polymer resins such as the insoluble crosslinked polystyrene known as Amberlite XAD-4 (marketed by Rohm 8L Haas Co.). Antibiotic A 16886, as obtained from fermentation, may be in either amphoteric or salt form, depending upon fermentation conditions. Regardless of which form, it can be adsorbed onto one of the above or similar adsorbents from solution in a suitable solvent. The adsorbed antibiotic Al6886 or salt can then be eluted from the adsorbent by suitable elution techniques, such as by washing the adsorbent on which the antibiotic Al6886 or salt thereof is adsorbed with a solvent. Where the elution is carried out by washing with a solution of, e.g., ammonium formate or sodium acetate, the process results in elution of antibiotic Al6886 as the ammonium or sodium salt, respectively. Such salts are readily converted back to antibiotic Al6886 in conventional procedures.

Salts of antibiotic Al6886 other than ammonium or alkali metal are preferably prepared by conventional reaction of antibiotic Al6886 in unmodified amphoteric form with the respective acid or base. Thus, in preparing acid addition salts, antibiotic Al6886 is reacted with an inorganic or organic acid. Representative suitable acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, sulfamic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, and glycolic acid.

Antibiotic Al6886 also forms salts with cations by reaction of Al6886 in unmodified amphoteric form with inorganic and organic bases and salts. Exemplary of these salts are ammonium and substituted ammonium salts; alkali metal salts, such as sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium, and rubidium salts; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium, strontium, and barium salts; and copper, zinc, magnesium, and silver salts. In the instance of organic bases, the identity of the base is not critical, although, in general, a base having a pH of, numerically, 3.0 or above in water is preferred. Representative suitable organic bases include benzylamine, methylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, procaine, diisopropylamine, ethanolamine, cyclohexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, diphenylamine, di-n-butylamine, quinoline, and pyridylamine.

The salts of antibiotic A l 6886 which are pharmaceutically acceptable are generally preferred for pharmaceutical applications. However, all salts are useful as intermediates in the production, separation, and purification of antibiotic Al6886. For therapeutic purposes, pharmaceutically acceptable salts are generally equivalent to antibiotic Al6886; however, particular salts are occasionally preferred due to a favorable property, such as solubility, conferred by the salt-forming moiety.

In order to illustrate more fully the operation of the invention, the following additional examples are provided by way of illustration.

EXAMPLE 14 SHAKE FLASK PRODUCTION OF ANTlBlOTIC Al6886 A sporulated culture of Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 was produced by growing the organism on a nutrient agar slant having the following composition:

Dextrin 10.00 g. Yeast Extract 1.00 g. Hydrolyzed Casein ("N-Z Amine-Type A," Sheffield 2.00 g. Chemical Company Beef Extract 1.00 g. Meer Agar (washed three times) 20.00 g. Deionized water 1 liter The pH of the medium was adjusted to pH 7.0 by the addition of sodium hydroxide.

The agar slant was inoculated with spores of Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 and was incubated for 46 days at 30 C. The agar slant was then covered with sterile distilled water and gently scraped to remove the spores and cells as an aqueous suspension thereof. One milliliter of the resulting suspension was used to inoculate each ml. portion of a vegetative medium having the following composition:

Glucose 15.00 g Soybean meal 15.00 g Cornsteep solids 5.00 g Calcium carbonate 2.00 g Sodium chloride 5.00 g Deionized water 1 liter The pH of the vegetative medium was adjusted to pH 6.7 by the addition of sodium hydroxide.

The vegetative inoculum was shaken for 24-48 hours at 30 C. on a reciprocal shaker with a 2-inch stroke at 108 rpm. The inoculum so prepared was then utilized in the production of antibiotic Al6886 as follows.

A production medium was prepared having the following composition:

Soybean meal 15.00 g. Casein 1.00 g. Sodium nitrate 3.00 g. Glucose syrup (50 percent glucose) 20.00g. Tap water 1 liter One hundred-milliter-portions of the production medium were placed in 500-milliliter Erlenmeyer flasks which were sterilized at C. for 30 minutes. When cooled, each flask was inoculated with a 5 percent vegetative inoculum. The fermentation was shaken for 48-72 hours at 2530 C. on a rotary shaker operating at 250 rpm. During the fermentation, the medium was aerated with sterile air at a rate of 0.4 v./v./min. Isolation was carried out essentially as reported hereinbelow in Example 22.

EXAMPLE 15 Antibiotic Al6886 was produced according to the process of Example 14, but utilizing a production medium having the following composition:

Distillers Solubles (Nadrisol) 5.00 g Soybean flour (Nutrisoy 200D) 5.00 g Peanut meal 5.00 g Blackstrap molasses 5.00 g Oatmeal 5.00 g Glycerol 10.00 g Tap water 1 liter and utilizing instead of a rotary shaker a reciprocal shaker operating at 108 strokes per minute.

EXAMPLE l6 Antibiotic Al6886 was produced according to the process of Example 14, but utilizing a production medium having the following composition:

Oatmeal 20.00 g. Glycerol 10.00 g. Tap water 1 liter EXAMPLE 17 Antibiotic A16886 was produced according to the process of Example 14, but utilizing a production medium having the following composition:

Cottonseed flour 20.00 g. Glycerol 10.00 g. Glucose 5.00 g. Tap water 1 liter EXAMPLE l8 Antibiotic A16886 was produced according to the process of Example 14, but utilizing a production medium having the following composition:

Glucose Soluble starch l Peptone (Wilson's 159) 3 Hydrolyzed casein (N-Z amine-type A" sold by the Sheffield Chemical Company) Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate Molasses, blackstrap Calcium carbonate Tap water 1 EXAMPLE l9 Antibiotic A16886 was produced according to the process of Example 14, but utilizing a production medium having the following composition:

Glycerol 20.00 g. Soy peptone 5.00 g. Calcium nitrate 2.00 g. Sodium chloride 0.50 g. Nadrisol 3.00 g. Tap water 1 liter EXAMPLE 20 Another sporulated culture of Stre'ptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 was produced by growing the organism on a nutrient agar slant. The slant in this instance had the following composition:

Dextrin l Yeast extract 1. Hydrclyzed casein ("N-Z Amine-Type A") (Sheffield 2 Chemical Company) Beef extract 1 Calcium chloride heptahydrate 0. Meer agar 20.0 Deionized water 1 Glycerol 10.00 g. Sucrose 20.00 g. Nutrisoy grits 15.00 g. Amber BYF 300 5.00 g. Tryptone 5.00 g. Potassium biphosphate 0.20 g. Tap water 1 liter The pH of the medium was 6.2 and was adjusted to 6.5 with sodium hydroxide.

EXAMPLE 2] PILOT PLANT PRODUCTION OF ANTIBIOTIC A16886 To a 40-liter stainless steel fermentor were added 24 liters of a medium having the following composition:

Antifoam A (an anti-foaming agent sold by the 5.00 g. Dow Corning Company) Starch 1125.00 g. Nadrisol 125.00 g. Soybean flour grits 50000 g. Glycerol 187.50 g. N-Z amine A 125.00 g. Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate 2.50 g. Cold tap water to 24 liters The initial pH was 5.9 and was adjusted to pH 6.5 with approximately 20 ml. of 5N sodium hydroxide. The medium was sterilized for 30 minutes at 120 C. and 15-18 psig., cooled, and then inoculated with a 5 percent vegetative inoculum produced as in Example 20. The fermentation was carried out at 30 C. for 66 hours, aerated with sterile air at the rate of 0.35 v./v./min., and agitated by a mechanical stirrer operated at 420 revolutions per minute. The terminal pH was 6.3.

Antibiotic A16886 was recovered from the broth following the isolation procedure set forth in Example 22.

EXAMPLE 22 ISOLATION OF CRUDE ANTIBIOTIC A16886 AS MONOAMMONIUM SALT Approximately liters of broth obtained as reported in Example 21 were filtered'with the aid of I-Iyflo Super-Ce] (a diatomaceous earth sold by Johns- Manville Products), 5 grams per milliliters. The broth filtrate was passed over a 9.5 cm. X cm. column packed with 8 liters of carbon (Pittsburgh 12 X 40), at the rate of 60 ml. per minute. The column was washed with 10 liters of deionized water (pH 5.2) and the activity adsorbed on the carbon was removed by passing 50 percent aqueous acetone over the column. The fractions containing the activity were combined, concentrated in vacuo to removeacetone, and applied to a 9.5 cm. X cm. column packed with Dowex l Xl (a strong basic anion exchange resin sold by The Dow Chemical Co.), in the formate cycle. The column was washed with 10 liters of deionized water, and the activity was removed with 0.1M ammonium formate. The active fractions were combined, and passed over a 9.5 cm. X 100 cm. column packed withcarbon (Pittsburgh 12 X 40), at the rate of 60 ml. per minute. The column was washed with water; and the activity was then eluted with V4 acetonezwater at 60 ml. per minute, yielding l5 two-liter fractions, and thereafter with 1:1 acetone:water, yielding 18 one-liter fractions. The active fractions were combined, concentrated in vacuo to remove acetone, and lyophilized.

Forty grams of combined lyophilized preparations, each preparation as discussed above, were extracted with 4 liters of methanol by stirring magnetically for 16 hours; the methanol insolubles were filtered off and the methanol soluble portion precipitated with 5 volumes of acetone. The precipitate was separated by filtration and dried. Yield was 20.6 grams.

This preparation was dissolved in a minimum of water and applied to a 5.8 cm. X 120 cm. column packed with dextran (Sephadex 6-25) at a rate of 1 ml. per minute. The activity was eluted with deionized water, and the active fractions were combined and lyophilized.

Ten grams of material obtained as described was dissolved in 256 ml. of acetonitrile:water (55:45) and applied to a 5.5 cm. X 85 cm. column packed with silica gel prepared in acetonitrile:water (7:3) solvenLApplication was at the rate of 3 ml. per minute. After application of the sample, the column was eluted with acetonitrile:water (7:3) at 5 ml. per minute flow rate. The most active fractions were combined, concentrated to dryness in vacuo, and lyophilized.

Material thus obtained was a mixture of the monoammonium salts of factors I and II; it was used in the antibacterial and anthelmintic evaluations reported above, as well as in separation and purification procedures reported below.

EXAMPLE 23 SEPARATION OF FACTORS I AND ll OF ANTIBI- OTIC A168 86 MONOAMMONIUM SALT Ten grams of a preparation prepared as described in Example 22 were dissolved in 197 milliliters of acetonitrile:water (55:45) and applied to a 4.0 cm. X 130 cm. column packed with 1.6 liters of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) in acetonitrile:water (7:3). The column was loaded at 1 ml. per minute, and eluted at 2 ml. per minute with acetonitrile:water (7:3). The elution was followed by assay and paper chromatography. As a result of the elution, a plurality of fractions was obtained, each containing predominantly one factor. The fractions of the respective factors were pooled and lyophilized.

EXAMPLE 24 PREPARATION OF ANTIBIOTIC A16886I HYDROCHLORIDE Antibiotic A16886l monoammonium salt, prepared and separated in accordance with the foregoing examples (200 milligrams), was dissolved in 2 ml. of water. The pH of the solution initially was 5.30; it was adjusted to pH 2.0 with 1N and HCl and then concen-.

EXAMPLE 25 PREPARATION OF ANTIBIOTIC A16886I DISODIUM SALT Antibiotic A16886I monoammonium salt (200 mgm.), prepared and separated in accordance with the preceding examples, was dissolved in 2 ml. of water. The initial pH was 5.30. The solution was then adjusted to pH 10.50 with 2.5N NaOH and concentrated, under reduced pressure to near dryness. Methanol (1.5 ml.) was added and the salt precipitated with 10 volumes acetone. The precipitated antibiotic A16886I disodium salt was removed by filtration and washed with acetone, and dried. Analysis showed 6.79 percent sodium.

EXAMPLE 26 PREPARATION OF ANTIBIOTIC A16886 IN ACID FORM Two hundred milligrams of a mixture of the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886I and the monoammonium salt of antibiotic A16886II were'dissolved in 40 milliliters water. andimilliliters of Dowex W- N H: O 0 Ella or a salt thereof, which method comprises cultivating Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585 in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen, and inorganic salts under submerged aerobic conditions until a substantial amount of the compound or salt thereof is produced by said organism in said culture medium.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the culture medium is maintained at a temperature of from approximately 25 C. to approximately 37 C., and the growth of the organism is carried out for a period of approximately 36 to 72 hours.

3. A method according to claim 2 additionally comprising recovering antibiotic A16886I from said culture medium.

4. A method of producing a compound of the formula OOH medium is maintained at a temperature of from approximately 25 C. to approximately 37 C. and the growth of the organism is carried out for a period of approximately 36 to 72 hours.

6. A method according to claim 5 additionally comprising recovering antibiotic A16886Il from said culture medium. 

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the culture medium is maintained at a temperature of from approximately 25* C. to approximately 37* C., and the growth of the organism is carried out for a period of approximately 36 to 72 hours.
 3. A method according to claim 2 additionally comprising recovering antibiotic A16886I from said culture medium.
 4. A method of producing a compound of the formula
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the culture medium is maintained at a temperature of from approximately 25* C. to approximately 37* C. and the growth of the organism is carried out for a period of approximately 36 to 72 hours.
 6. A method according to claim 5 additionally cOmprising recovering antibiotic A16886II from said culture medium. 